Protecting Our Environment

Energy and the Environment

President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw the U.S. From the Paris Climate Agreement Makes America Less Safe, and puts our environment, economy, and public health at risk.

Democrats strongly believe in our responsibility to serve as stewards of our environment and public lands for current and future generations. Instead of working with Democrats, Republicans in Congress have focused relentlessly on rolling back environmental and public health protections. Since the beginning of the 115th Congress, Republicans have voted to undermine clean air protections, take away protections that keep drinking water sources safe, shut down public lands, and allow the inhumane killing of animals on wildlife refuges.

In addition to actions taken by Republicans in Congress, President Trump announced earlier this year that he is withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accords – an agreement signed by almost 200 countries that will work to combat climate change. This decision is an abdication of American leadership and undermines our national security and America’s credibility. Already, countries like China are stepping up to replace American leadership on climate change.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor today after House Republicans adjourned the House without taking action to address gun violence, the threat of the Zika virus, or the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to the release of Speaker Ryan and House Republicans’ regulatory agenda, the third plank of their #WrongWay agenda.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of the Toxic Substance Control Modernization Act, a bill to modernize outdated legislation to protect Americans from harmful toxic substances. Below is a transcript of his remarks.

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone released the following statement on the introduction of bipartisan legislation and a bipartisan manager’s amendment to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act.

I’m proud to join 163 current and former House colleagues, along with 44 current and former Senators, in filing a bipartisan amicus brief today before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in support of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) attended the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee’s hearing on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan today. House Democrats heard testimony on the ongoing emergency from public health experts and local officials.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that requires the Environmental Protection Agency to disclose to the public anytime it uncovers evidence of serious lead pollution.